Wales Bonner x John Smedley SS26

There’s something quietly assured about a collaboration that doesn’t need to shout. The Wales Bonner x John Smedley capsule, unveiled as part of the Wales Bonner Spring/Summer 2026 show in Paris, is exactly that: considered, cultured, and confident in its restraint.

At its core, this is knitwear as menswear shorthand. Fine-gauge cotton and merino polos form the backbone of the collection, rendered in bark, ivory and jewel tones that feel both collegiate and cosmopolitan. The silhouettes are clean, familiar even—but look closer and the details do the heavy lifting. Subtle texture, measured contrast, and a sense of rhythm that sits somewhere between Ivy League polish and diasporic elegance.

Grace Wales Bonner’s approach is rooted in research, and this collaboration is no exception. Following bespoke work created with John Smedley for Lewis Hamilton’s Met Gala appearance, she travelled to the brand’s historic Lea Mills factory in Derbyshire. Founded in 1784, it’s a place where heritage isn’t a marketing line but a working reality. Immersing herself in the archive, Wales Bonner pulled from mid-20th-century references, reworking chequerboard textures and lace collar details into something quietly modern.

What makes this capsule compelling isn’t novelty, but intention. Every piece is crafted in England, using John Smedley’s long-held expertise, yet filtered through Wales Bonner’s nuanced lens—one that consistently reframes classic menswear codes rather than discarding them. The result is clothing that feels lived-in from the first wear, but still elevated enough to hold its own in a fashion-week context.

This is a meeting of minds rather than aesthetics: British manufacturing discipline paired with a designer who understands the cultural weight of clothes. No gimmicks, no overstatement—just knitwear, done properly, for men who appreciate the difference.